​A4.2.1 Scope

This Guidance Note attempts to provide clarification and assistance to interested parties so that they may meet the Standards required regarding the installation of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and associated sites’ TCH and Chilbolton Observatory.

It covers the design, supply, delivery, installation, commissioning and handover of the system. It is based upon the recommendations contained within BS 5839-1:2002+A2, as revised. It is not intended that this guide replaces the BS but provides guidance on the practical application of the recommendations contained therein and should be used in conjunction with the BS and this SHE code.

A4.2.2 General requirements

All Fire Alarm installation work will be carried out by 3rd party certified (BAFE) registered companies or those companies who are substantially through the process of achieving such certification.

All installations shall comply with BS 5839-1:2002+A2, as revised, BS7273-4, as revised, BS 7671 (as revised), The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, MOD Specification 34 (as revised) and in accordance with equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.

All Fire Alarms shall be wired using red FP200 Gold cable, unless otherwise stated. All wiring shall be LSF insulated with stranded copper conductors, Minimum conductor size 1.5mm2 CSA.

The Contractor shall make due allowance to install new services & remove old services such that fire detection of areas is not compromised.

Wherever possible the existing services shall remain in operation and connected to the old fire alarm panel and new services installed nearby as directed.

The contractor shall employ the use of temporary cabling where necessary to keep existing services in operation prior to the final testing, commissioning and handover of the new installation.

Where specified point smoke detectors shall be of the ‘Optical type’.

Smoke detectors shall be Apollo series X95 or Hochiki ESP protocol type only.

A4.2.3 Equipment Mounting

A4.2.3.1 Fire Alarm Control Panel

The equipment should be generally accessible on the ground floor adjacent to the main entrance to the building to enable security and the fire brigade to quickly identify the zone of the fire.

A correctly orientated plan of the building must be displayed close to the control panel showing entrances, escape routes and zones.

Fire alarm panels (standard Kentec) with LCD display should be mounted such that the top of the panel is at 1.65 metres +/- 0.1 metres above floor level. All panels required should be sourced from Kentec Electronics Ltd. Quoting ‘Supply to Rutherford Appleton Laboratory specification’. (This will ensure the panel is prepared to receive Key switches). These switches are supplied FOC.

A4.2.3.1.1 Power Supplies

The power supply for the control panel should be exclusive to the Fire Alarm System and should be supplied via a fused spur with secret switch giving double pole isolation and be clearly marked ‘FIRE ALARM DO NOT SWITCH OFF’

Upon mains failure the batteries should continue to power the system for a minimum of 72 hours plus 30 minutes alarm duration after that.

A4.2.3.2  Manual Call Points

Manual Call points should comply with the requirements of BS EN 54-11, Type ‘A’. Any proposal for use of type ‘B’ manual call points requires the prior approval in writing of the Fire Safety Advisor and must be noted as a variation.

All manual call points shall be identical unless there is a special reason for differentiation.

Manual Call Points should be fitted in conspicuous and easily accessible points on escape routes, mounted at 1.4metres +/- 0.2 metres above floor level, unless otherwise specified.

Call points should be located at the exits to the open air and at all storey exits on each floor.

Maximum travel distance to operate a Manual Call Point shall not exceed 45 metres or 25 metres in any special hazards or high risk areas.

All manual call points that are installed but not commissioned and in service shall be suitably labelled to indicate this.

A4.2.3.3 Cabling

No joints are permitted in new cabling except at devices.

Cables should be provided with mechanical protection in areas where physical damage or rodent attack is likely.

If cables are likely to be subjected to impact by forklift trucks or goods trolleys etc. for example, loading bays then further robust protection is required such as installation in metal conduit or trunking.

All cabling shall be secured to cable trays with metal fasteners at intervals of not more that 1000mm.

At no time shall cabling be ‘tie wrapped’ or fixed to other cables or services. Cabling should be fixed to new and/or existing containment systems or direct to the building structure where prior agreement has been sought and given.

Where a cable passes through an external wall, it should be contained in a smooth bore metal or other non hygroscopic material sealed into the wall. This sleeve should slope downwards and be sealed with a waterproof compound to prevent the ingress of moisture, dust or vermin.

Where cables, conduits, trunking or cable tray pass through floors, walls partitions or ceilings the penetration should be as small as possible and made good with an approved fire stopping material to ensure that the fire resistance of the construction is not materially reduced.

A4.2.3.4 Spacing of Detectors

A smoke detector under a flat ceiling has a radius of 7.5 metres

Heat detectors have a radius of 5.3 metres

A Detector radius should reach every part of the room. In large open areas, as a rule of thumb this spacing equates approximately to one detector (smoke) per 100m2 and one detector (heat) per 50m2

Detectors should be located a minimum of 500mm away from walls

There should be a 500mm clear space below and around the detector

Detectors should be located at least 1 metre away from air conditioning units

If an obstacle e.g. beam/RSJ is less than 10% of the ceiling height then ignore. If it is more than 10% of the ceiling height, treat it as a wall for detector spacing locations.

Note:
 Heat detectors for use in kitchens and boiler rooms should be of the ‘Fixed Temperature’ type. In areas where smoke detection is undesirable i.e. staff rooms, tea points etc. the detector should be of the ‘Rate of Rise’ type.

A4.2.3.4.1 General Mounting Heights of detector

​​Maximum mounting height for Heat detectors conforming to BS EN 54-4 Class A1	​- 9.0m
​Maximum mounting height for point Smoke detectors	​ - 10.5m
​Optical beam Smoke detectors	​ - 25.0m

Aspirating Smoke detecting systems complying with BFPSA code of practice for
Category 1 aspirating detection systems.

​​Normal Sensitivity	​ - 10.5m
​Enhanced Sensitivity	​ - 12.0m
​Very High Sensitivity	​ - 15.0m

 

A4.2.3.4.2 Detection in Voids

If the system Category requires automatic detection in areas where there is a void greater than 800mm then the fire detection should also be provided in the void.

Voids less than 800mm generally do not need to be covered with the following exceptions:

Fire or smoke can spread between rooms or compartments before detection; or there is a high risk - determined by a risk assessment - to warrant protection in the voids.

A4.2.3.5 Audible Alarms and visual indicators

The minimum number of Sounders circuits shall be two. One sounder should be located near the control panel or building entrance on a separate circuit.

 Addressable systems should be wired from the control to a sounder protected by a short circuit isolator.

On RAL main site and Ridgeway House only bells or bell/strobe units shall be installed

Electronic sounders shall be installed in the Cosener’s House complex, Chilbolton Observatory and R97 Electron Building.

A minimum of 65dBA is required in general areas or at least 5dBA above any background noise levels which persists for more than 30 seconds. A relaxation (to a lesser level) in certain situations may be granted – solely at the discretion of the RAL Fire Safety Advisor.

In sleeping accommodation, 75dBA is required at the bed head. A sounder per room is required.

Where high levels of background noise exist, e.g. plant rooms, server rooms etc. sounders shall be supplemented by visual indicators such as beacons.

Beacons within the building shall be wired on a sounder circuit such that they may be turned off when the sounders are disabled or silenced.

Beacons located externally shall be on addressable loops so that they can remain on even after the internal sounders have been silenced.

A4.2.3.6 Labelling

Each Fire Alarm System Device shall be labelled as per the following method:

​​Device ID	​S34 L3 Z5 A108
​S34	Detector 34 (P for Call Points, I/O for interface units)
​L3	​Loop 3
​Z5	​Zone 5
​A108	​Address 108 ​

Each Fire Alarm Bell/Sounder will be sequentially numbered i.e.  B xxx

Each system battery shall be suitably rated and labelled with the date of installation.

A4.2.4 Test, Commissioning and Record Information

A4.2.4.1 Testing

The contractor shall ensure that all necessary inspection and testing etc. is carried out. 

• Test all installed wiring to include Insulation resistance test, circuit impedance, earth continuity, and for mains supply circuits earth fault loop impedance.

A4.2.4.2 Commissioning

To be carried out by the current site Maintenance Contractor. (Name will be confirmed at time of order).

Includes out of hours if required to demonstrate the automatic fire detection and alarm system performance to BS 5839 and will include the following:

• Test of all components for correct function and operation
• Test and confirm Zone Alarm identification
• Test each interface to interconnected systems
• Sound Pressure levels in all areas of the works
• Demonstrate correct operation of Cause and Effect – where applicable

At the completion of the installation the system shall operate without fault for a period of 7 days after which the defects liability period will commence.

A4.2.4.3 Record Information required

Certificates for design, installation and commissioning of the system, and
Installation Test Results

An adequate operation and maintenance (O&M) manual for the system which includes the following but is not limited to:

• Product information;
• Details of product guarantees and warranties;
• ‘As fitted’ drawings;
• Hard & soft copies of any panel programming;
• A record of any agreed variations from the original design specification;
• Such other records as are required e.g. RAL ‘Building Sign Off Record’;
• A log book; and
• An Electronic copy of the entire O&M manual including as built drawings in PDF & AutoCAD format.

A4.2.5 Notes:

A4.2.5.1 The O&M Manual

• Shall be specific to the system in question and should include (but is not limited to):
• The equipment provided and its configuration, including for radio linked equipment the background RF noise level and attached signal strengths;
• Use of all controls;
• Recommendations for investigation of a fire alarm fault or signal;
• Recommendations for investigation in the event of a false alarm;
• Recommended Maintenance periods and Planned Preventative Maintenance;
• The need to avoid contamination of detectors during contractors activities;
• The need to keep a clear space around all fire detectors and Manual Call Points; and
• Other user responsibilities

A4.2.5.2 As Fitted drawings – minimum information requirements

• The positions of all control, indicating and power supply equipment, origin of supply;
• The positions of all manual call points, fire detectors and fire alarm devices;
• The positions of all equipment that may require routine attention or replacement (the obvious example is short circuit isolators);
• A detailed schematic showing all devices, terminal numbers, locations, device references, loop references and zone references; and
• Other equipment interconnected to the Fire Alarm System.

A4.2.5.3 Permits to work

To ensure the safe operation of the alarm systems on site and to prevent unwanted nuisance alarm activations certain isolation’s may be required. Any such isolation MUST be carried out under a Permit to Work System and a copy of the permit must be displayed prominently at the panel in question. No works shall commence until a properly completed permit has been issued.

Temporary ‘capping’ or covering of detector heads is not permitted at any time except where used to prevent the detector becoming contaminated by dust or similar. Detector head(s) that are intended to be covered MUST be specified on the Permit to Work.

A4.2.5.4 Asbestos​

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) exist in many of the buildings on STFC sites.
Prior to any work being undertaken, the contractor shall make reference to the Asbestos Register.

Where any work is to be carried out that has the potential to disturb any material or substances that may contain asbestos in any form, the contractor shall provide detailed drawings for suggested detector installation methods. These drawings and method statements shall be approved by the Superintending Engineer prior to works commencing.